TEHRAN -- Six young men have been sentenced to writing articles about the environment over illegal hunting at an Iranian national park.

The decision was made at a court in the town of Zarqan in Fars Province, the director of the Fars Department of the Environment told the Persian service of IRNA on Saturday.

The men had illegally entered Bamo National Park near the city of Shiraz and separated a fawn from its mother. Shortly afterwards, they were detained by guards of the park, Hosseinali Karnami added.

The court found the men guilty of illegally entering the national park and separating the fawn from its mother.

The offence normally carries a 91-day sentence, but the innovative verdict was made due to the young age of the perpetrators.

Based on the court ruling, the culprits each must write a 2000-word article about the benefits and the necessity for the preservation of the environment and must deliver the articles to the court in one year.

They also have to meet the director of Bamo National Park every month to receive a certificates verifying environmentally friendly behavior. They must also submit the certificates to the court.

Infringements of the court ruling can result in a prison sentence of two years.

Karnami praised the judge of the court for such a verdict and said his office has pursued a policy of environmental education for citizens over the past year.

MMS/YAW

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